Outcome of COVID-19 in patients with a history of acute leukemia; A Narrative Review

Abstract

The chemotherapy and immunosuppressive medication may be associated with the suppressed immune system of a cancer patient making them susceptible to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with unclear mechanisms. We reviewed current studies on the clinical courses of leukemia patients with a risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection through searches in Pubmed databases and Google search engines. The criterion used for review includes their relevance to the defined review question, which is the outcome of COVID‐19 among leukemic patients and the relevant therapeutic interventions therewith. Patients with acute leukemia are among the most vulnerable groups of patients at risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes with several protocol management modifications proposed. The development of COVID-19 vaccines was an important milestone in reducing the risk of contracting and developing severe COVID-19 symptoms in leukemic patients after remission status. The European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), a collaborative network of centers and individuals working in the field of BMT and cellular therapy, has been updating its recommendations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.